SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Playing the role of the visiting team on Bedard Field, the American International College baseball team pulled off a thrilling extra-innings win over Saint Anselm College to earn a split in a Northeast-10 doubleheader, falling 4-2 in the first game before earning a 12-inning 4-1 win.

In the first game, the Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead as Nick Bragiole singled in a run, and then scored on a double steal, swiping home in the process of the runners advancing.

The third Saint Anselm run came in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly to right; the ball was dropped in right but the run would have scored from third even had a catch been made. Two innings later, Shaine Carpenter doubled Bragiole home to put the Hawks up 4-0.

Senior first baseman Chris Starcun cut the deficit in half in the ninth with a two-run shot to right center, his first home run of the season, but the team could not find the other two runs to tie the game.

Hawks pitcher Joseph Levasseur went the distance in the contest, scattering six hits over nine frames of work with one walk and four strikeouts, allowing only the two runs in the last frame. AIC's junior starter, Jason Coscio, also went start to finish, falling to 1-3 with the loss despite allowing only three earned in eight innings, allowing seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

In the second game, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw through eight, despite a few chances to score for both teams. Freshman Cam Winiarz held the opposing side to just two hits and a walk in five innings, fanning two, classmate Ryan Bruning followed up with two no-hit innings, striking out three and only allowing one batter to reach when he hit him with a pitch, and senior Anthony Crudale tossed a perfect frame in the eighth.

On the other side, Saint Anselm's Adam Krol was just as sharp; after surrendering back-to-back infield singles to start the game, he managed to hold AIC to just three hits through the first eight.

In the ninth inning, AIC finally broke the deadlock; freshman right fielder Owen Wosleger walked, followed up by a single from his classmate, shortstop Joe Pepe. Junior catcher Eugene Quirk then hit a single deep to short, and the Saint Anselm shortstop threw the ball away trying to get Quirk at first, allowing Wosleger to score.

However, the Hawks struck back quickly, with a leadoff double by pinch-hitter Connor Parenteau off of Pepe, who came in to try to close the game out. Parenteau then advanced on a wild pitch and scored when Matthew Flynn doubled.

A sacrifice bunt pushed Flynn, who represented the winning run, to third with one out. Head Coach Nick Callini called for back-to-back intentional walks, and it worked, as Pepe induced a lineout to second base and then caught John Marculitis looking for strike three with a backdoor breaking ball to force extras.

AIC had a chance to score in the 11th frame, with Carter smacking a double down the line in left and Wosleger sacrificing to move him over with one out. Pepe came to the plate and hit a grounder to second, and Carter was caught at home after trying to score on the throw to first.

One inning later, AIC finally busted the tie, as Quirk doubled to right; freshman shortstop Trent Dillon hit a single through the left side for his first career hit to set up first and third. Sophomore center fielder Josh Aviles was intentionally walked to load the bases, but senior third baseman K.J. White followed with a single to right to bring Quirk in. Two batters later, rookie left fielder Matt Krause bashed a single up the middle to bring in Dillon and Aviles to make the score 4-1.

That was all Pepe needed, as he came back on the mound in the 12th and sat the side down in order, tossing another backdoor curveball to fan Jason Turner looking to end the game and earn his first career win. In all, he threw four innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out two and walking two.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Sunday, April 9 with a doubleheader against Saint Michael's. The first game begins at noon at Bedard Field.